SALT LAKE CITY — Several Salt Lake residents are out of their homes Tuesday while investigators assess the damage and the cause of a morning apartment fire in downtown Salt Lake City.
The two alarm blaze began just before seven a.m. at the Embassy Apartments located at 130 South and 300 East.
All of the residents got out safely, and the loud blaring from fire and smoke detectors are being credited.
“No, it’s scary!" said resident Marie. "It’s super scary absolutely, worried that the people next door are even going to get out.”
The first Salt Lake City Fire Department crews on scene encountered heavy smoke and flames from the upper floors of the Embassy Apartments and they quickly called for a second alarm.
That building and the one right next to it were evacuated and fire crews spent the next half hour dousing the flames.
Some residents literally got out with the the clothes on their backs.
“Nothing, she just made me get dressed then we just jumped up and left out of there," Brittney said after gtting out safely.
Three firefighters did sustain some minor injuries, with one taken to a hospital.
“You always want to reassure our fire family and our extended fire family that all of our personnel are safe and accounted for and they’re just being evaluated to make sure it’s not any worse," said Captain Anthony Burton. "So at this point it’s pretty minor.”
Many of the residents that firefighters were able to rescue and return to their owners.
“Absolutely, we search for those" Captain Burton said. "Of course human life is the number one priority but while we are doing that, we are grabbing animals as well.“
By midday residents were slowly allowed back into the buildings to figure out what they could and couldn't save and if and when they can return to their apartments.
The Red Cross is lending assistance to those who can’t return home or need other kinds of help.
